Deborah

Deborah

Scripture References: Judges 4-5

Her Situation:

The heart of where the Israelites were at:

               “They were hardly steeled in the land when they proved to be greedy, selfish, and forgetful of Him from whom all blessings flowed. They took God’s earthly gifts but rejected His Word. God’s purpose was the destruction of idolatry, but theirs became the enjoyment of their vineyards and the mixing of cultures. In spite of pious promises, the Israelites turned their backs on God and became carnal and increasingly corrupt, becoming friends with the sensual Canaanites and bowing down to their idols (Judges 2; 3:5-7). Then the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel and, wherever they went, the hand of Jehovah was against them for evil. God’s promises to His people are sure, but He cannot condone disobedience and evil. His hate of sin is as certain as His marvelous display of grace. God’s people had forsaken Him, and now He would no longer help them to drive out the rest of the Canaanites. Many heathen nations would now remain in the land (which they could have possessed completely), and these people would be like unrelenting thorns in their sides. Their gods would be snares to them. Distressed as Israel became, they had no excuse for their predicament, for Jehovah had warned them repeatedly and had reasoned with them, ‘Why have ye done this?’ With their lips they said, ‘We will serve Jehovah,’ but they bowed in the dust before Baal and gave the strength of their bodies to Ashteroth. How like God’s ancient children we are! We say, ‘Use me for Thy glory,’ and then seek our own. We pray, ‘Help me to live for Thee,’ and then spend all of our strength to satisfy selfish desires. We read that God sold the nations to their enemies, as if to say ‘They are not Mine, they are yours; do with them as you will’ (Josh. 23:13; Judges 4:2). So Israel was exploited and burdened; their crops were eaten by another, their property pillaged. People were turned out of their homes, their women were molested, and their young men were made slaves. Warriors were cowed and leaders dispersed. They were in extreme distress. Independence was gone, and they were oppressed by a strong military power with no sense of justice. This time it was Jabin, the king of Canaan, and ruthless Sisera, who held them in iron clutches. At last there was no way for this stiff-necked people to look but up. They cried out to God, and He heard and provided a deliverer, the strong-minded Deborah. It was in her ear that they poured out their troubles. They knew her to be a courageous, wise, and godly woman, and they cried, ‘Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, awake, utter a song’ (Judges 5:12), hoping that, though they were sore distressed and deeply humbled, they would once again come to sing the glorious praises of the great I AM. ” –Frances Vander Velde

Her Inspiration

Read Judges 4

Deborah was a prophetess. The gift of prophecy is “the ability to discern the mind and purpose of God and declare it to others.” –Herbert Lockyer

She was the wife of Lapidoth. (This is the only genealogy we have of Deborah)

Lapidoth’s names means “torches” or “lightning flashes” which indicates he may have sparked the flame in Deborah’s heart to do what she did.

“To become like Deborah –a woman used powerfully by God, a woman entrusted with leadership responsibility, a woman given a great ground for service to the kingdom –you must first be faithful as a wife.” –Elizabeth George

The role of a wife:

To Help: Genesis 2:18 NLT “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’”

To Submit: Ephesians 5:22 KJV “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”

To Respect: Ephesians 5:33 ESV “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

To Love: Titus 2:4 NKJV “that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children”

She was called “a mother in Israel,” though we have no record of her children we are not sure if she was just a mother figure to Israel or actually bore physical children. Either way, she was a mother figure in Israel. She portrayed a tender power and was approachable to the men around her.

If you are going to be a powerful woman of God and influence others around you and gain their respect, you must have a motherly sense about you. Others will not respond with this lacking as it will keep them from trusting you.

Deborah was the only woman to serve as a judge of Israel. She was the fifth judge.

She was also a poet.

Deborah’s name means “a bee,” which would leave me to believe that Deborah was a very hard working woman.

“Science confirms the ancient belief that, of all the animal kingdom, the bee ranks among the highest in intelligence,” says Mary Hallet. “So Deborah stands out as among the wisest of all the Old Testament women.”

How did Deborah show wisdom with her position? Through HUMILITY.

●     Judges 2:16 tells us the Lord raised up judges. The Lord Himself had raised her up and given her this position.

●     Deborah called for Barak to lead the people, not seeking to do everything herself.

●     Deborah served Barak when he asked her to come alongside him in the mission.

The way to be great in God’s kingdom is to walk the path of humility.

1 Peter 5:5 NKJV “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:6 NKJV “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

Deborah ruled under a palm tree and this was a land mark because palms were rare at that time in Palestine. (Judges 4:5)

What idols do you personally struggle bowing down to? (A perfect Christian marriage or home, a booming ministry, wealth, beauty, control)

What sins do you need to confess to the Lord and forsake them and DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM? (self-worship, self-centeredness, self-dependence, impurity, hypocrisy, discontentment, worry, discouraging others, complacency)

Leviticus 19:4 NASB “Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the Lord your God.”

1 John 5:21 NASB “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”

1 Corinthians 10:14 NASB “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

“Paul knew something that many Christians still have not learned –that the human heart is idolatrous and will worship anything it can possess. Therein lies the danger of the ‘good’ things. We have surrendered evil things, bad things, but we hold on to the good things and these we are prone to worship. Whatever we refuse to surrender and count but loss, we will ultimately worship. It may be something good, but it gets between you and God –whether it be property or family or reputation or security or  your life itself.” -AW Tozer

Prophets were inspired and Deborah the prophetess was full of inspiration! She had the gift to stir up people and move and motivate them.

Her Bravery:

Deborah saw a need and rose up and did something about it! She did a good job because the land had rest for forty years.

Deborah called for Barak, telling him to deliver the country. He said he would go only if Deborah went with him. They needed a brave heart!

The odds were against them but Deborah believed her God.

Deborah was a warrior.

Her Song:

Read Judges 5

Out of the conquest and victory, Deborah wrote a song. Her calling from God not only inspired her to fight, it inspired her to sing.

Outline of Deborah’s Song

(v. 1-5) –History verifies that the Lord sent a rainstorm and all of Sisera’s 900 chariots got stuck in the mud.

(v. 6-8) -Shagmar was a previous judge at a time when it was not safe to travel on the highways.

             -Deborah’s pride was in that she was a mother.

             -The people rejected the One True God and turned to false gods and worshiped them.

(v.9 ) –Deborah showed her support for other godly rulers in the land.

(v.10-11) –The gates were a place of assembly and where the people would meet and talk about topics of the day. Now the topic would be the righteous deeds of the Lord.

(v.12-13) –After the victory Deborah still tells Barak to rise up.

(v.14-18) –not all the tribes helped. Reuben acted as if there was no war. The tribe of Issachar stood with Deborah and Barak. Dan was busy in commerce. Asher continued on the seashore. Zebulun and Naphtali fought really well.

(v.19-20)  –These former enemies of Israel helped fight at the water of Megiddo which is near what will be Armageddon one day.

(v.21-23) –Meroz did not come to help the work of the Lord and they were cursed. The Lord secured their victory.

(v.24-31) –Jael is blessed. With a motherly heart, Deborah thinks of Sisera’s mother. Taking anyone’s life is sorrowful.

Life Lesson:

“May we, like Deborah, awaken to the need of the kingdom of God, arise to do our part, and march on with the Lord of Hosts to victory. And those who love and serve Him will “be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might” (Judges 5:31). –Frances Vander Velde

Discussion Questions:

1.      Where did Deborah live? Who was her husband? Where did she sit as judge?

2.      How would you describe Deborah’s personality?

3.      What can you personally apply in the story of Deborah that you want to share with the group?

Rahab

šRahab›

Scripture References:

Joshua 2; 6:17-25; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25

Her  Location and Status:

Joshua was the leader now in place of Moses. The Lord promised to be with Joshua as He was with Moses. (Joshua 1:5-8).

The Canaanites in Jericho had protection from mountains, the Jordan River and Mediterranean sea. They also had well fortified cities and peaceful trade with other countries. They were cultured, idolatrous and had commercial achievements. These were the kind of people Rahab lived among.

Rahab lived in Jericho.

Jericho was known as the strongest of the fortified cities of Canaan.

“This ancient ‘City of Palms,’ as it was known, was surrounded and protected by two walls about fifteen feet apart. The walls, though not high, were wide and sturdy, and houses made of sun dried bricks, supported by timbers, were built over the gap. Rahab’s house occupied a place on the wall.”           –Frances Vander Velde

Joshua sent two men to spy out the city of Jericho.

The two spies found refuge in Rahab’s home.

Rahab was a prostitute.

“Before Rahab became a believer in the One True God, she was an idolatrous Amorite. Ra was the name of an Egyptian god, and Rahab’s full name meant ‘insolent and fierce.’ Besides her less-than-positive name, the Bible reports that Rahab was a harlot.” –Elizabeth George

  

Her Faith

Read Joshua 2:1-11

Rahab truly came to believe in the God of Israel. She was attentive to what He was doing and placed her faith in the One True and Living God.

By hiding the two spies, Rahab showed what she really believed in.

James 2:25 NKJV

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Rahab:

-knew God had given them the land

-heard about how God parted the Red Sea and led the Israelites out of Egypt

-claimed He was God in heaven above and on earth beneath

What are your personal statements of faith?

What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

How is our faith increased?

Romans 10:17 NKJV

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith is needed to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Rahab is included in the “Hall of Faith” found in Hebrews 11…there are only 3 women mentioned (Sarah, Jochebed and Rahab).

Hebrews 11:31 NKJV

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

Rahab’s choices defined who she became.  Her choices defined who she was and enabled her to be a part of the “Hall of Faith”!

Sometimes we need to make choices that take courage and bravery. Our choices may be a risk in the beginning, but they are life in the end. In order for Rahab to preserve her and her family’s lives, she needed to risk her life! Then, she was spared later on. This is how true living works in God’s economy.

Luke 9:24 NKJV

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

Luke 17:33 NKJV

Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

**Are you making these kinds of choices so that your destiny is one that glorifies God?

Rahab showed, by risking her own life, that she feared God more than man.

Jeremiah 17:5 NKJV

Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD.”

Psalm 40:4 NKJV

Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Psalm 25:2 NKJV

O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 31:19 NKJV

Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!

Day-by-day make choices that lead to a life of faith and victory.

Rahab had an evident call of God on her life. Jesus came to save the sinners. We must always remember that and avoid having any form of a pharisaical mentality. Sometimes we think we are more spiritually mature defined by the way we act and what we do. When true spiritual maturity is allowing God to reveal true motives of our hearts and walking in humility, considering others better than ourselves.

Rahab is an Old Testament “woman at the well” and God had a powerful call on her life to use her for His glorious purposes. God loved her just as much as every other woman.

  

Her Deliverance

Read Joshua 2:12-24

“That red token at the window was likewise a signal to the outside world that Rahab believed in the ultimate triumph of Jehovah…As that scarlet line, because of its color and sign of safety, speaks of the sacrificial work of Christ (Hebrews 9:19, 22), the ground of our assurance of salvation is not experience of feelings within, but the token relatives might not have felt safe within the house, but the same promise prevailed, ‘When I see the blood, I will pass over you’ (Exodus 12:13).” –Herbert Lockyer

“Rahab would be saved by letting down a scarlet cord. In these days, prostitutes would paint their windowsills bright red. Therefore, by hanging a scarlet cord over her red windowsill, Rahab would be forming a cross. The same image that saved the people of Israel in the Passover when they applied the blood to the top, sides and bottom of their doors, would save the pagans in Jericho. Whether to a Jew or a Gentile, the message is the same. It is the Cross that saves from destruction.”   -Jon Courson

You are not born pure. We are only made pure by the blood of Jesus.

*Psalm 51 –David wrote after falling in sin with Bathsheba

Her Acceptance and Heritage:

The Lord accepted Rahab. He called her His own and rescued her out of her land and it’s evil ways.

The Lord allowed her to have a new heritage and fresh start after she placed her faith in Him.

Rahab married Salman, a prince of the house of Judah.

Rahab was the mother of Boaz.

Did you know that Boaz’s mother was Rahab! Think of the godly man the Boaz was and the character he had. What a beautiful story of God’s redemptive and transforming work. I have a feeling that these are God’s favorite kinds of miracles to perform!

Remember that Christ calls the sinners to repentance, not those who have it all together.

Boaz and Ruth were the grandparents of David.

David is in the lineage of Jesus Christ Himself.

Read Matthew 1:5

Life Lesson:

Let your faith work its way out in your actions. Don’t let the fear of man keep you for taking risks for God.

James 2:25 NKJV

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Discussion Questions:

1.     Tell what you can about Rahab’s background and life. How much did she know about God before the spies came?

2.     Show that Rahab had faith. What kind of faith did she have?

3.     Is there any symbolism in the scarlet thread that Rahab hung from the window?

4.     Does the story of Rahab shed any light on what our attitude should be toward converts? What is our present-day attitude toward them? What should it be?

Miriam

šMiriam›

Scripture References:

Exodus 2:1-10; Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers 12; 20:1; 26:59; Deuteronomy 24:9; Micah 6:4

Her Childhood:

Read Exodus 2:1-10

Miriam was Aaron’s and  Moses’ older sister.

She was the daugher of Jochebed and Amram.

She lived in Egypt.

“Miriam was the first woman mentioned in the Bible whose interest was national and whose mission was patriotic. For many years Miriam held a unique place among her people. In Micah

6:4 was read, ‘For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.’” –Frances Vander Velde

Miriam’s name means “rebellion”.

Miriam was the first woman in the Bible with the title of a prophetess.

“A prophetess is a woman who acts as a mouthpiece for God, receiving a message from Him and proclaiming it in accordance with His commands.” –Merrill C. Tenney

Other women named in scripture who were prophetesses include: Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Anna (Luke 2:36), and Philip’s four daughters (Acts 21:9).

Miriam had a natural motherly heart. She was a bright girl around the age of 13 who was able to help her mother with this task. She showed responsibility and assistance to her mother.

Remember Miriam grew up in the suffering of slavery and under the taskmasters of Egypt.

Her Adulthood:

Exodus 15:20-21

It appears that Miriam never married and was a career woman. Her position teaches us that women do have a place in the church.

“Miriam viewed her singleness as an opportunity to give herself fully to ministry.” –Elizabeth George

Miriam’s work seems to have been with the women.

**What is a woman’s role and responsibility in the church?

1^st ministry is to RUN OUR HOMES: we are to love our husbands and children and minister to them daily and pray for them daily.  We are to keep our homes in order and learn the skill of keeping our home in order. It is our job to create and maintain the mood and atmosphere of our home to be centered on the Lord and to be a peaceful place.

Proverbs 14:1 NASB

A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 7:11 NASB

She is boisterous and rebellious; her feet do not remain at home.”

Proverbs 31:10-31 *description of an ideal godly woman in her ministry of her home and to her husband and children

2^nd ministry is to USE OUR SPIRITUAL GIFT IN THE CHURCH:  whether it is a gift of helps, administration, prophecy, teaching, leading, giving or mercy.

**Review 1 Corinthians 12 (Living Water by Chuck Smith –recommended reading on spiritual gifts!)

A woman’s role in the church is vital. We need to know our place and do our part and not overstep our bounds and create confusion and division. We are to serve and love our families and the Body of Christ.

It is also not our place as women to counsel the men. Women counsel women and men counsel men for the protection and health of the Body. This does not mean you can’t minister and direct your brothers in Christ in a sisterly way, but you do not get into the details of their lives and become emotionally attached to them. 

It is also our responsibility before God to submit to our husbands and respect them so there is order and so we glorify God. It is out of place for us to ever talk down to our husbands, especially in front of others. We are not to correct them or share an opposing opinion against our husbands with others. We take our disagreement to them in PRIVATE. It is not an open discussion for everyone else to know about or be a part of.

Ephesians 5:22-24 NASB

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

We need to understand that when we do this we are directly honoring God and pleasing his heart. Respect and honor is the key to your husband’s heart.  Tell your husband today what you respect about him!

Women are called to lead. What is a leader?

1.     A leader is a follower: To be an effective leader you must first be a follower.

a.     Ephesians 5:1 NASB “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

b.     Matthew 4:19 NKJV “Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

c.      1 Peter 2:21 NKJV “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”

2.     A leader prays: a TRUE spiritual leader is one who is an intercessory prayer warrior. True leaders spend hours in prayer for those they are leading. A leader should never take this lightly.

a.     1 Samuel 12:23 NKJV "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.”

b.     Numbers 14:19 NKJV "Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."

c.      Colossians 1:9 NKJV “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”

3.     A leader initiates: a leader steps out and takes risks.

a.     Joshua 1:6 NKJV "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”

b.     Acts 4:31 NKJV “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

4.     A leader serves: a leader leads others by serving them.

a.     Mark 9:35 NKJV And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

b.     Mark 10:45 NKJV "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

5.     A leader loves: a true leader loves those she is leading and cares about their interests and seeks to bless and benefit them before herself.

a.     John 15:12 NKJV "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

b.     2 Corinthians 12:15 NKJV “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.”

Her Failure:

Read Numbers 12

What came out of Miriam in this chapter shows what was going on in her heart.

Miriam was very gifted. She was a prophetess as well as a poetess and musician. She led the women in timbrel and song. Beware of pride!

“The limitations in Miriam’s character are brought to light, and we see that her heart lacked genuine humility and contentment. She knew that she was able and was proud of it, and she was ambitious for greater political power….Envious, bitter thoughts must have been brewing in her heart for a long time before they came out in hurtful propaganda against Moses, who had married a Cushite. Being a prophetess, she may have had strong and justified feelings against marrying outside of the nation. She made a mistake, however, when she made her complaint public, imperiling the authority of Moses.” –Frances Vander Velde

It was Miriam’s job and responsibility to do well the job that was given to her. She stepped her bounds greatly and God dealt with it severly.

Colossians 1:7 NKJV “as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,”

Let us not become critical of others as if we know better and let’s make sure we are not trying to climb a ladder inside of the church. Miriam may have believed the way she was acting was godly, but it was in fact ungodly and did not please God at all.

James 4:6 NASB

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:10 NASB

Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

The Lord humbled Miriam with leprosy in front of everyone.

Life Lesson:

“What are some of the lessons to be learned from the feminine jealousy and ambition which were the drawbacks in Miriam’s otherwise commanding character? First of all, we should learn to avoid the temptation to wield power at the expense of losing influence. Miriam had great influence in her sphere as a prophetess and leader of the praises of Israel, but she was not content. She coveted equal power with Moses. Then is it not folly in trying to add to our prestige and dictating to others, as Miriam and Aaron when they gave vent to their feeling against Moses? The most impressive lesson to learn from Miriam is that it is injurious to our character to be discontented with our own distinction, and to jealously desire the higher place of honor which another holds. My soul, never forget that it was envy that crucified the Lord who personified humility!” –Herbert Lockyer

Avoid thinking anything else is godly that is not Christ-like and humble in character.

Discussion Questions:

1.     What character traits do we see in Miriam as a child?

2.     What was Miriam’s contribution to the building of the new nation?

3.     What qualities of heart and mind must we have in order to perform our tasks to the glory of God?

Jochebed

šMidwives and Jochebed›

Scripture References:

Exodus 1; 2:1-11; 6:20; Numbers 26:59; Hebrews 11:23-27

The Midwives:

Read Exodus 1:1-22

The midwives Shiphrah and Puah assisted the women in childbirth. They held this position most likely because they had no children or homes of their own.

Shiphrah means “prolific” or “procreate”

Puah means “child bearing” or “joy of parents”

These were Egyptian names and Jewish historian Aben Ezra says these women were “chiefs over all the midwives, who were more than 500.”

“They are called Hebrew midwives, probably not because they were themselves Hebrews (for surely Pharaoh could never expect they should be so barbarous to those of their own nation), but because they were generally made use of by the Hebrews; and, being Egyptians, he hoped to prevail with them.” –Matthew Henry

Even though they were Egyptians they appeared to embrace the Hebrew faith and “feared God.”

Exodus 1:17 NASB “But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.”

Acts 5:29 NASB “But Peter and the apostles answered and said, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” They said this in response to the command given to them to not continue teaching in the name of Jesus.

What does it mean to “fear” God? This word is “yare” and it means “to fear, to respect, to reverence, to be afraid.” Recognize who God is! We often get commonplace and comfortable in our approach to Him.

These women feared God MORE than they feared man. Let this be our prayer!

Matthew 10:28 NKJV “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

How did God respond to Shiphrah and Puah?

1.     He protected them. Exodus 1:20 NASB “So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty.”

a.     Psalm 34:7 NKJV “The angel of the Lord encamps around all those who fear Him, and delivers them”

b.     Psalm 91:1 NASB “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

2.     He gave them families. Exodus 1:21 NASB “And it came about because the midwives feared God, that He established households for them.”

God desires our obedience.

Jochebed’s History:

Jochebed was the mother of Aaron, Miriam and Moses.

Jochebed’s name means “glory of Jehovah” “Jehovah is her glory”

She is the first person in scripture to have her name compounded with “Jah” or “Jehovah”

She was the daughter of a Levi and her husband Amram was a man of the house of Levi which makes Moses a Levite.

Because of Joseph, 400 years before the Jewish people were a favored race but now they were afflicted.

v. 8 –a new king, who did not know Joseph, arose. How important it is to know history and learn from history! 1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

This Pharaoh made the Israelite people slave laborers.

Exodus 1:12 NKJV “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.”

It was in these years that Jochebed gave birth to Moses. Imagine her fear, her cry to God and her agony when he was born a baby boy.

Her Faith:

Read Exodus 2:1-11

Her actions showed who she ultimately trusted in and we can all follow her example of bravery.

What kind of faith did she have? Wise faith. She placed him in the river by the bulrushes at the rivers edge and it was around where Pharaoh’s daughter bathed every day. She had Miriam, her daughter, follow the baby…and then trusted in the Lord!

The Lord wants his children to be wise. He does not want us to have faith and yet be foolish. That is why He gave us the book of Proverbs! Many times, we are hindered in our walks with God because we have not yet acquired the wisdom He gave us.

Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7 NKJV “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

Proverbs 8:11 NKJV “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”

Proverbs 9:10 NKJV "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 11:2 NKJV “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.”

Proverbs 16:16 NKJV “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”

Acts 6:3 NKJV "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;”

Acts 6:10 NKJV “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.”

Jochebed is listed in the hall of faith! Hebrews 11:23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.”

The opposite of faith is FEAR. A key to having faith in the Lord is to fear the right person…God! If you fear the Lord, you won’t fear man, and if you fear man you won’t fear the Lord.

Hebrews 13:6 NKJV “So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

1 Peter 2:17 NKJV “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

1 John 4:18 NKJV “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

A lot of times our faith is weak and our fear is strong because we do not understand the love God has for us and we need to have a deeper experience of it.

1 John 5:4 NKJV “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.”

Her Legacy:

Jochebed had tremendous influence on her three children as they became the leaders for the people of Israel.

·       Aaron became Israel’s first high priest beginning the Aaronic priesthood.

·       Miriam was a poetess and musician who led the women in a victory song after God delivered them from Pharaoh’s army.

·       Moses led God’s people out of the land of Egypt and communicated God’s commandments.

Your assignment from God as a mother is to devote yourselves to your children. Mothering takes perseverance and hard work! There is no easy way out. Be a dedicated prayer warrior for your children every day that they may embrace the Lord and follow after Him.

Life Lesson:

Fear God not man and walk by faith! Step out and take risks.

Reflection Questions:

1.     What would people point to in your life that shows the evidence of your faith?

2.     What are things in life that you are afraid of?

3.     What challenge are you currently going through that requires faith?